Socials Fair

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Social Studies Fair!


The Socials Fair is held twice a year (once each semester) at ATSS. It is for all students in grades 9 and 10 who are taking Social Studies.
This semester, the Fair will be held the evening of
Monday, May 12.
6:30 to 8:00 pm
ATSS Gym
Socials Fair Projects:
  • Every student must participate in the Socials Fair. It is worth 9% of your final mark in my Socials 9 class.
  • Students may work alone or with a partner (no groups larger than two)
  • Topics are to be chosen from the course outline OR the textbook--your topic should be relevant to the course you're in.
  • Students do research on their topic. They then:
    • Create a visual display of their findings (usually on a science-fair-type board)
    • Write a research essay on the topic (NOT a report...an ESSAY.) *Partnered students EACH write their OWN essay, though they may work together on the research and display portions*
    • Attend the Socials Fair evening to show off their learning and impress the judges. Parents, friends, neighbours, grandparents, etc, are welcome to attend. ATSS students are expected to be in uniform (it's a school event).

Display rubric:
Content: Media (visuals)
 Content: Text/Language
 Layout and Craftsmanship
 Creativity
/10
Variety of media has been used to visually represent theme or topic. Eg: Pictures, colours, textures, maps, graphs, charts.
 /10
Makes use of strong, clear language to grab viewer's attention.
Text has been streamlined to include only what is important.
No grammatical/spelling errors are present.
 /5
All required sections are included. Project is complete and high level of attention to detail is evident.
 /5
Final project shows evidence of creativity and planning to make an eye-catching and engaging display.
Remember to:
Include the title of the project
Use one colour printing to avoid confusion (use extra colours only for effect)
Use attractive lettering and material
Choose colours which have good value contrast
Include a variety of media (charts, diagrams, photos, murals, graphs, maps, statistics and statistical analysis, etc).
Include your sources for all facts, charts, etc

.
Presentation rubric:

 Exceeds expectations
 Meets expectations
 Approaches expectations
 Needs Work
Background Information
 Highly informed and accurate description of topic. Provides detailed information and thorough knowledge displayed.
 Able to provide an accurate description of topic and key facts/info needed to understand topic.
 Some key information for understanding of topic is missing.
 Lacked the ability to provide the key information to set up topic
Importance to Time Period
 Content provided is all accurate. Able to provide a clear and highly informed description of the importance of the topic to the time period.
 Content provided is all accurate. Able to provide an informed and clear description of topic's importance to the time period.
 Some key content is missing for a clear understanding to the topic's importance to its time period.
 Unable to provide clear and descriptive content which lays out the importance of the topic to its time period.
Historical Significance
 Clearly articulated the historical significance of topic able to demonstrate critical thinking, addressing the question, "so what?"
 Clearly articulated the historical significance of topic. Somewhat adressed the "so what?"
 Historical outcome presented without any significance and linked. Unable to answer "so what?"
 Unable to provide historical significance or answer "so what?"
A few do's and don'ts:
  • Don't leave the work to the last minute. It looks terrible and you really can't learn anything in two hours.
  • DO hand in your essay and board when your teacher asks for them (usually a few days before the fair, so she can mark them).
  • Don't bring food or live animals to the Socials Fair evening (we've had a few too many problems in the past).
  • DO either work alone or with someone you know will do his/her part. There's nothing worse than being the one doing most of the work while your partner does nothing.
  • Don't run around and make a lot of noise--you're supposed to be standing by your display, ready to explain things to visitors.
  • DO plan to attend the evening and bring your family. You will have a chance to look at others' projects and win prizes. If you are really not available (out of the country, at a once-in-a-lifetime soccer camp, in the hospital or the equivalent), at least have the project and essay handed in on time. Be aware that your mark may drop if you are not in attendance (teacher's judgement).
  • DO stay by your project until the announcement comes that you may circulate.
  • DO consider a costume--at least it's an excuse to be out of uniform!
  • DO explain to members of the public and the judges the most interesting parts of your research. Be polite (say "Hello" and so on), but don't bug people if they just want to read your board.
  • DO use 3-D items, models, costumes, etc. to bring your topic to life.
  • Don't spend a whack of money on your project. It's about your learning, not your buying power.
  • DO choose a topic that interests you.
  • DO bring a few dollars for the concession--it supports various fundraising groups in the school.
  • DO remember that you cannot do the same topic as anyone else in your class. Topics already "spoken for" are:
    • The Steam Engine
    • The Irish Potato Famine
    • The Battle of Waterloo
    • King Henry VII of England
    • The Hudson Bay Company
    • Cartier's Early Fur Trade
    • Witch Hunts
    • Martin Luther and his 95 Theses